THE Armed Forces yesterday dismissed allegations of a rift in the security sector, echoing a pronouncement of the National Security Council (NSC).
“This is a classic case of political intrigue. This narrative holds no water,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
“The security sector is united under the chain of command,” said Padilla adding those who are claiming there is a rift in the security sector “just want to seek headlines.”
Bayan Muna party list Rep. Neri Colmenares earlier said the removal of Vice President Sara Duterte and former presidents from the NSC “shows the widening rift between the Marcos and Duterte factions.” He said the NSC reorganization was “not just about national security – this is about political survival.”
The NSC was reorganized by President Marcos Jr late last month. In Executive Order 81 dated Dec. 30, 2024 said the reorganization aims to ensure the council’s “resiliency as an institution facing the evolving domestic and international challenges and opportunities.”
Padilla reiterated the military is united behind the chain of command.
“We maintain that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is united,” she said.
“We are professional and we are loyal to the Constitution and to the flag and we adhere to the chain of command,” she added.
NSC Assistant Director General and spokesman Jonathan Malaya on Monday said members of the Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives were merely sowing intrigue and seeking media attention because of the elections this May.
“They see things when there is none,” said Malaya, referring to allegations that the reorganization of the NSC was due to rift in the security cluster.
Malaya said the President has the prerogative to reorganize the NSC, noting past presidents have also reorganized the council.
NO MORAL AUTHORITY
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin yesterday said former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo has no moral authority to question the President’s decision to reorganize the National Security Council.
He also called “malicious” the claim of Harry Roque, spokesman of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that the reorganization is a prelude to martial law.
Bersamin said Panelo, “during his time as presidential adviser… advocated the exclusion of then-Vice President Lenny Robredo. So, he has no moral authority to question the decision of the President.”
Panelo said Bersamin is misinformed, as he had never advocated the exclusion of Robredo from the NSC. He said Robredo and former presidents were invited to the NSC when former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President’s father, convened the body in July 2016.
Bersamin emphasized he is not saying Duterte is not to be trusted, but cited recent developments and the current relationship of the top two leaders of the country.
“The President has the right as well as the responsibility of seeing to it that whoever advises him is within his fullest trust and confidence. Now, I am not saying that the Vice President has already, does not anymore deserve to be trusted. But I am just saying that with the recent developments, it is not going to be good advice or good action on the part of the President to still have her on board,” he said.
The Vice President has been criticizing the government since she quit the Marcos Cabinet in June last year. She has also cried political harassment over House investigations into her alleged misuse of millions in funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education which she had headed.
Bersamin said the President “has the absolute power, the power of absolute reorganization, meaning he can choose the people he listens to or he would listen to.” “So, if the National Security Council is supposed to be including members who are trusted by the President, then let it be understood in that light,” he added.
Bersamin reiterated that the Vice President “has ceased to be relevant as far as the responsibilities of that membership in the National Security Council is concerned.”
Bersamin dismissed Roque’s claim that the reorganization may be related to a supposed plan to either declare martial law or prolong Marcos’ term.
He said the President and administration is focused on advancing the country’s economic prosperity, improving the health and welfare of the Filipino people, and completing his legacy projects.
“What he has in mind is the economic prosperity of the country, the health and welfare of the people, especially those who are in the lower classes, and the prioritization of his legacy projects. It’s not about martial law. It’s not about extending himself in power. No, he has no thinking about that. He does not even think in those terms,” he added.
Bersamin also said that the Constitution is very clear on what circumstances should be present before martial law is declared. – With Jocelyn Montemayor
